Over a week ago it was announced that Jeremy Irons and Jesse Eisenberg will join the untitled Man of Steel sequel as Alfred Pennyworth and Lex Luthor. Months ago Ben Affleck was announced to play Batman/ Bruce Wayne in this film as nerds and geeks everywhere exploded in one way or another. These recent casting choices haven't stirred quite the forum that Affleck did but has added fuel to the fire to a film that is being called the "Batman vs Superman" movie.
It was announced at the San Diego Comic Con that the sequel of Man of Steel would feature Batman as Warner Bros and DC Entertainment try and get their own cinematic movie universe started. The first piece of big news came when it was announced that Ben Affleck would be playing a "seasoned and tired" Batman. Most bloggers and tweeters first reaction was anger due to Affleck's last try as a superhero, Daredevil, which was not well received. I always tell those people to watch the director's cut to see a better version of the film, and that Ben Affleck is a good actor and director. I was thrilled to see Affleck was being added to this film, although I don't quite yet understand the benefit for his career at this point, having just won Best Picture at the Academy Awards for a film he directed, Argo. Why play a superhero that could tie him up for the next decade?
Not too long ago it was announced that actress Gal Gadot of the Fast and Furious franchise was cast as Wonder Woman. This again sent nerds and geeks into a frenzy, many questioning if Gadot can carry a Wonder Woman franchise. Then, it was reported that the film, which was set to be released in summer 2015, is being pushed back to 2016. The studio said they want to make the best picture possible and needed more time, some say the film makers dropped the ball somewhere, and some believe Warner Bros has no idea what they're doing when it comes to copying what Marvel Studios has seemed to perfected. Finally, this film has created more to discuss with these two new casting choices. For me, it all depends on what story and version of these characters Zach Snyder and David Goyer decide to tell. Unfortunately, Man of Steel disappointed me so much I question everything about this sequel, Warner Bros handling of DC property, and DC Comics all together.
No one can deny that Jeremy Irons is a phenomenal actor. Most of us who grew up in the 1990's will always remember him as the voice of Scar from The Lion King, and he's also a multi-Oscar winner. I remember him best from films like Die Hard: With a Vengeance and The Man in the Iron Mask opposite Leonardo Dicaprio. I've always thought of him as a hard-ass. Which doesn't make me picture him slipping into a role similar to what Michael Caine just did in the Dark Knight trilogy. But then I thought of a recent re-telling of Batman's origin, Batman: Earth One. In this graphic novel, written by Geoff Johns, Alfred Pennyworth was an ex-military bad ass who saved Thomas Wayne's life at one point. When the Wayne's are murdered Alfred raises Bruce and teaches him how to fight and essentially what he needs to become Batman. This is the kind of Alfred I see Jeremy Irons being. Don't get me wrong, I have enough faith in Irons to pull off any part, given that his director doesn't lead him astray. This is just the version of Alfred I picture when I think of Jeremy Irons as Alfred the butler.
The casting of Lex Luthor has been a subject of much debate. The top 3 names I heard most frequent were Michael C. Hall, Mark Strong, and Brian Cranston. And I was comfortable with any of those actors portraying Superman's arch-nemesis. I first saw Jesse Eisenberg in a little film called The Squid and the Whale opposite Jeff Daniels. I continued to watch him throughout the years and enjoyed The Social Network and Zombieland. That being said, I can see why he was cast as a young Lex. He has played cold and distant characters, which most would call neurotic. I have no doubt seeing him pull off a diabolical plan to take down the Last Son of Krypton, but it's his screen presence I question.
Hall, Strong, and Cranston all have an incredible presence in any scene they do. That's what Lex Luthor should be. He's evil, egotistical, and really does believe he's going to save to the planet from an alien threat; Superman. Former Lex Luthor's include Gene Hackman, Michael Rosenbaum, Kevin Spacey, and all have stolen the spotlight from their own Superman while the camera is rolling. I just don't see Eisenberg having that commanding, sinister, presence with his high pitched voice. He just doesn't scare me like a good villain should. Now I may be wrong, and maybe Eisenberg will show me something of his I haven't seen yet, and he'll be a great Lex Luthor. I was surprised by Heath Ledger as the Joker and Chris Evans as Captain America; so it's possible.
I really want to like this movie. I really hope all these casting choices turn out well. And I really want to get this DC cinematic universe going and thriving, but if Man of Steel is a representation as to how it will proceed then I may have to start carrying a box of tissues with me to see DC films, or a bag full of tomatoes. For god sakes Snyder, not killing is the core to who Superman is, how could you screw that up!
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